Are you ready for your close-up, Fido?

Does your doggie dream of stardom? Well, here’s his or her chance (sort of). The Village of Palmetto Bay is doing screen tests of pooches for a video being produced for the Village’s Government Access TV Station WBAY. It takes place at Perrine Wayside Park (the dog park) at 16425 S. Dixie Highway on Sunday, January 27th at 11 a.m. Dogs big and small are welcome. For more info call 305-259-1234. Who knows…today Fido could be appearing on Village TV…tomorrow…the Broadway revival of “Fiddler on the Woof.” (Sorry.)

Garage Sale alert! If you’re into these, there’s one on Saturday January 26, at 8 a.m., located at 7490 SW 147 Street. It features housewares, toys and furniture.

Are thinkingof running? With many cities holding elections this year and next, and lots of newcomers (and veterans, too) thinking of running for elective office, now is the time for candidates to “get fit for the campaign trail.” The Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust is sponsoring a Campaign Skills Seminar that is free and open to the public. The twohour seminar takes place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, March 11, in the McDonald Center in North Miami Beach, 17051 Northeast 19th Avenue. Attorneys can earn Continuing Legal Education credits from the Florida Bar.

For more information or to reserve a seat, call Robert Thompson at 305-350-0630 or email robthom@miamidade.gov.

Ed MacDougall, who is also having a birthday on February 8th, will not only be running for re-election as Mayor of Cutler Bay in November of 2014, when his current term runs out, he will also be running for the District 26 seat in the United State Congress. “Currently, I have put a team together and we are beginning the process of building the campaign for 2014,” Ed tells us. You can count on hearing more about this in the coming months. Best of luck, Ed.

Give peace a chance? Temple Beth Or is hosting a presentation called “Last Chance for Middle East Peace?” at 7:30pm on Tuesday February 5. “In the forefront of groups promoting non-extremist solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a Washington DC based organization named J-Street,” says a press release we received last week. Miami residents will have an opportunity to learn more about J-Street, Middle-Eastern issues and join the debate at a presentation by J-Street’s Rabbinic Director Rabbi Lawrence Troster that will examine and debate the role of U.S. leadership in bringing Israel and the Palestinians back to the negotiating table. Temple Beth Or is located at 11715 SW 87th Avenue in Miami.

Remember a movie called “Miami Rhapsody” shown at the Miami International Film Festival back in 1995? Well, it’s back! As part of the MIFF’s 30th Anniversary celebration “Miami Rhapsody” will have a special screening on Friday, February 8, at the Miami Dade College’s Tower Theater, 1508 S.W. Eighth Street at 7 p.m. How special? Well, Sarah Jessica Parker, director David Frankel, Jeremy Piven, Carla Gugino and other cast members will be appearing in person! They will also attend a Cast Reunion Party at 9 p.m. at the Coral Gables Country Club, 997 N. Greenway Dr. in Coral Gables. It’s a classic, clever romantic comedy set in Miami about the infinite perils, and possibilities, of marriage in the mid-’90s. Cost is $130 for the general public or $100 for Miami Film Society Members. That includes both the screening and the party.

For more information, call 305-237-FILM (3456).

Homestead Rodeo and Parade is January 25th through the 27th. This annual event takes place at the Doc DeMilly Rodeo Arena at Harris Field located at US- 1 and Campbell Dr. in Homestead. Advance tickets are $15 for adults, $5 children. For times and additional information visit www.homesteadrodeo.com.

Thought of the Day:

Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former.

About the Author

Michael co-owns Community Newspapers with his brother Grant and serves as Executive Editor of the group of newspapers. He enjoys writing about local politics and area businesses. Michael can be reached at michael@communitynewspapers.com